Activity 8

1.

Skill and technique
Technical skill is the most comparable and measurable aspect of art. As you look at a painting (or any other work of art) you probably will be able to
determine how skillfully it was created simply by comparison with other works.
First, compare the works to other art youve seen in that medium before if it is a painting, for example, decide whether this artist is more talented than
others youve seen. It might be difficult if youre just starting out, and in that case, dont let it worry you. It will only take a short amount of time for you to
see the differences between a skillful painting and one thats poorly done.
Second, look at all the artwork on display by the artist. You might find that some are more impressive than others, or appear better made, and youll
certainly have an idea of one or two that are the best out of the entire group.
Third, look at each work of art itself. Are they individually consistent? Are there places that you can see odd markings compared to another area within
the same piece? Sometimes art may look rushed or strange, but if it is created in a similar fashion throughout the entire piece then the effect is most
likely intentional. If not, then that work may not be as good as some others that are more internally cohesive.
Judging the level of skill in a work of art is probably the most difficult thing Im suggesting to do in this article. Over time and with more exposure to art
you will eventually come to a greater understanding of different mediums. Plus, if youre lucky enough to be an artist yourself youll probably find out that
you instinctively have a better grasp of other mediums already.
2. Theatre criticism evaluates, describes, or analyzes a performances merits and a productions effectiveness. The critic traditionally asks three basic
questions borrowed from German playwright and critic Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832).
What is the playwright trying to do?
How well has he or she done it?
Was it worth doing?
The first question concedes the playwrights creative freedom to express ideas and events within the theatre. The second question assumes that the
critic is familiar with the playwright and the forms and techniques of the playwrights time. The third question demands a sense of production values and
a general knowledge of theatre.
Descriptive criticism describes the production: who is in it, what takes place during the performance, and what theatre artists are behind the scenes.
For the most part, descriptive criticism offers no judgment, but simply a record of the theatre event. This type of criticism amounts to what is normally
referred to as a review. This is not the type of critique which will be acceptable for this course.

Evaluative Cricism, which is the type acceptable for critiques in this course, deals directly with our three basic questions and passes some type of value
judgment on the production. Evaluative critics consider the performance from three viewpoints:
First, they consider what the playwright was trying to do--the imaginative material, the concept, ideas and the themes.
Second, they judge how well the performance accomplishes what the playwright has set out to do. Plot, character, setting, lighting, costume, acting, or
directing may be considered, depending upon their relative contribution to the effectiveness of the production.
Third, they answer the question, Was it worth doing? This answer is the most sensitive aspect of the critique. The critic is to use specific examples from
the play to support his or her point of view.
Too often critiques run to the writers personal likes and dislikesopinion without critical judgment. In an effort to avoid this I liked it" or "I didnt like it
approach, you are urged to define as exactly as possible the nature of the performance.